... / Launch Beaufort / Week 9: Demo Day + Online Networking Skills

Welcome to the final week of the Launch Beaufort Pre-Accelerator! This is your moment to showcase your venture, demonstrate your progress, and connect with the community of mentors, peers, and potential partners. Demo Day is more than just a presentation — it’s the launchpad for the next stage of your entrepreneurial journey.

This week focuses on two things: delivering your Demo Day pitch with confidence and sharpening your networking skills to sustain momentum beyond the program. A compelling pitch gets people interested, but it’s your ability to build and maintain relationships that will create long-term opportunities.

We’ll explore best practices for connecting with investors, mentors, and fellow founders both in person and online. You’ll learn how to use tools like LinkedIn and WhatsApp to stay engaged, share updates, and grow your professional reputation.

By the end of this module, you will:

●​ Deliver your final pitch at Demo Day.​

●​ Learn practical networking strategies for post-program success.​

●​ Build at least five meaningful new professional connections.

Demo Day isn’t just another pitch — it’s a showcase. It’s your chance to highlight months of hard work, prove your venture’s potential, and leave an impression on people who can open doors for you. Preparation is what separates a strong presentation from a forgettable one.

Steps to prepare effectively:

1.​ Refine Your Pitch Deck​

○​ Keep it to 10–12 slides max.​

○​ Focus on the essentials: problem, solution, traction, business model, and vision.​

○​ Use visuals and graphics instead of text-heavy slides.​

2.​ Know Your Audience​

○​ Research who will be in the room (investors, mentors, local leaders).​

○​ Tailor your examples and language so they connect with this audience. For example, highlight job creation for local officials or scalability for investors.​

3.​ Practice Relentlessly​

○​ Rehearse aloud multiple times, not just in your head.​

○​ Record yourself and watch for pacing, body language, and clarity.​

○​ Time yourself — keep it concise and impactful.​

4.​ Prepare for Q&A​

○​ Anticipate 5–10 tough questions about your market, competition, and financials.​

○​ Practice answering confidently, even if you don’t have all the answers.​

5.​ Handle Logistics Early​

○​ Check tech (laptop, clicker, microphone).​

○​ Have backups of your slides on a USB and in the cloud.​

○​ Arrive early to test everything.​

On Demo Day, your presence on stage is as important as your words. Investors and partners aren’t just evaluating your idea — they’re evaluating you as the leader who will carry it forward. Mastering stage presence ensures your audience sees you as credible, confident, and inspiring.

Key elements of strong stage presence:

1.​ Posture & Movement​

○​ Stand tall with shoulders back — it conveys authority.​

○​ Avoid pacing nervously. Move intentionally: take a step forward when emphasizing a key point.​

2.​ Voice & Tone​

○​ Speak clearly and at a measured pace. Rushing signals nerves.​

○​ Vary your tone to emphasize important ideas; avoid a monotone delivery.​

○​ Pause briefly after key statements to let them sink in.​

3.​ Eye Contact​

○​ Connect with the audience, not just your slides.​

○​ If the audience is large, shift your gaze across the room so everyone feels included.​

4.​ Body Language​

○​ Use natural hand gestures — they make you appear more engaging.​

○​ Avoid crossing arms, fidgeting, or turning your back on the audience.​

5.​ Authenticity​

○​ Audiences connect with genuine passion. Share a brief personal story or motivation behind your venture.​

○​ Smile when appropriate — it shows confidence and approachability.​

Demo Day is a milestone, but it’s not the finish line. The real value comes from the connections you build afterward. Networking effectively ensures you stay top of mind for investors, mentors, and potential partners.

Key Strategies for Post-Demo Day Networking:

1.​ Follow-Up Quickly​

○​ Within 24–48 hours, send personalized messages to people you met.​

○​ Reference something specific from your conversation (“I appreciated your question about customer acquisition — here’s a bit more detail”).​

2.​ Leverage LinkedIn​

○​ Connect with new contacts and share updates about your progress.​

○​ Post a recap of your Demo Day experience and tag organizers, mentors, and peers to expand visibility.​

3.​ Engage in Communities​

○​ Join entrepreneur or industry groups on LinkedIn, Slack, or WhatsApp.​

○​ Share resources, ask questions, and offer support — networking is a two-way street.​

4.​ Maintain Investor Relationships​

○​ Even if an investor doesn’t commit today, nurture the relationship.​

○​ Tools like Visible.vc can help you send regular updates on progress, milestones, and traction.​

5.​ Give Before You Ask​

○​ Be known as someone who adds value, not just someone seeking help. Introduce peers, share articles, or provide feedback when possible.​

LinkedIn (Professional Networking Hub)​

LinkedIn is the most powerful platform for entrepreneurs to expand their professional networks. Use it to:

●​ Build your profile: Highlight your venture, traction, and role as a founder. Include a strong headline and a clear summary of your mission.​

●​ Share updates: Post about Demo Day, milestones, or lessons learned to showcase momentum.​

●​ Engage investors & mentors: Comment on their posts, congratulate them on milestones, and send thoughtful messages instead of generic “connect” requests.​

●​ Join groups: Many investor, startup, and industry-specific groups exist — participate actively to increase visibility.​

Pro Tip: Pin a short pitch video or link to your pitch deck in your Featured section. That way, anyone who visits your profile sees what you’re building right away.

WhatsApp is more informal but equally powerful for ongoing engagement:

●​ Cohort communication: Stay connected with fellow founders from your program. Share wins, challenges, and resources in group chats.​

●​ Mentor accessibility: Some mentors prefer the quick, conversational style of WhatsApp over email.​

●​ Networking after events: Exchanging WhatsApp contacts makes it easier to follow up in real time.​

AI Tip: Use ChatGPT to draft thoughtful follow-up messages. Example prompt:​ “Generate a polite LinkedIn message to reconnect with an investor I met at Demo Day. Mention their question about customer retention and share a brief update.”

Together, LinkedIn builds your professional brand, while WhatsApp strengthens personal, ongoing relationships.